Basket raffle to benefit The Primate Sanctuary

By Benjamin Joe

Senior Contributing Writer

Approximately 40 primates are being cared for by The Primate Sanctuary in Niagara Falls – and they need help from the public. Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Sunday, May 3, a basket raffle fundraiser for the organization will be held at Kelly’s On The Green, 4343 Porter Road.

Of these primates, the group currently houses three black-handed spider monkeys from South America and Mexico. These species are endangered, in large part, because of the practices of smugglers looking to fill the pet market here in the U.S.

Carmen Presti, who has been working with rescued primates for 40 years, spoke about the three endangered monkeys – Borris, Natasha and Kylii – as well as his goal to establish a larger sanctuary space in Wilson.

“A year ago, we got Borris,” he said. “His mom was shot and killed in Southern Mexico and he was smuggled over the Texas border and sold to a woman in Oswego. She drove down there and picked him up,” he said. “Now, this is a critically endangered, black-handed spider monkey.”

Presti explained, “Ninety percent of wild spider monkeys are gone. For every one taken out of the wild, from two to five will die for that one. … They’re shooting the moms and taking the babies. Probably about 50% of those babies who fall out of the tree with the mom, they are killed themselves or they’re critically injured.”

Kylii, the black-handed spider monkey, has issues with her bones from a lack of Vitamin D.

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The stories of the other two black-handed spider monkeys at the facility are just as heartbreaking.

Natasha arrived at the center with a broken arm and leg, while Kylii has undeveloped bones from a lack of vitamin D. At this time, it’s undetermined whether she will have to be put down because the life she’ll have might be too painful.

Borris was rescued because of a TikTok post that went viral, introducing him to the buyer’s social media audience and the law. Presti said it was ironic that he can barely get a TikTok post to gain even a little traction for his work with spider monkeys, but influencers are making serious cash by endangering a wild animal.

“She gets in New York state and what’s the first thing she does? TikTok,” Presti said of Borris’ rescue. “New York State DEC, Department of Conservation, steps in, confiscates the monkey and calls me. They gave me a heads up, on Wednesday, but it wasn’t supposed to happen until the next week. On Friday, I get a phone call, ‘Hey Carmen, this is officer such-and-such. I’m in route to your facility. We’ll be there in three hours.’

“So, they got here and he weighed less than a pound. Tiny little thing – cute as hell. When my wife saw it, she started crying, because she knows. He doesn’t belong on my shoulder. He doesn’t belong in my arms. He belongs with his mother out in the wild.”

Those interested in helping Presti continue his work can visit the fundraiser or call 716-417-4160.